EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN
PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD)
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY:
Chad Carpenter
Peter Doran
Richard Jordan
Kira Schmidt
Lynn Wagner
Managing Editor
Langston James Goree VI "Kimo"
A DAILY REPORT ON THIRD SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE
FOR THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
(HABITAT II)
Vol. 11 No. 22
Wednesday, 14 February 1996
HABITAT II PREPCOM III HIGHLIGHTS
TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1996
Delegates continued working in three Subgroups and the
associated drafting groups. The Drafting Group on a "Right
to Housing" met for its first full day of discussions.
WORKING GROUP II SUBGROUP A
In 143 (importance of international cooperation), delegates
debated references to the private sector. The US proposed a
reference noting the "centrality" of private sector
participation and to the "local" private sector. Delegates
agreed to mention, but not emphasize, the private sector. In
144 (downward trends in assistance), the G-77/China
highlighted the needs of developing countries, particularly
the least developed countries, and mentioned private sector
involvement. The US proposed language noting that
implementation is the responsibility of each country. The EU
disagreed with the reference to least developed countries.
Delegates agreed to combine the US and G-77/China proposals,
as amended. Delegates bracketed a G-77/China-proposed
144bis, which noted trends in the global economy and listed
developing country problems. The US said it overemphasized
the public sector and did not address local communities.
In 145 (innovative approaches), delegates agreed to
synthesize proposals on replacing "frameworks" for
cooperation with "approaches" (EU), references to NGOs and
CBOs (US) and language on international organizations (G-
77/China). The EU proposed a 145bis on decentralized
cooperation, but some delegates objected to the recognition
of the right and capacity of local governments to develop
international relations. The EU added "within the existing
legal framework of each country." The G-77/China's 145bis
(impact of international migration) was bracketed.
In 146 (enabling international context), delegates debated
economic growth and sustainable development. Proposals
included references to debt, debt service burden, structural
adjustment, "outward-oriented programmes of economic
adjustment," and the relation of economic development to
urbanization.
On 147 (actions), delegates agreed to convene a group,
chaired by Richard Butler (Australia), to synthesize
proposals on 146, 147 and 148. In 149 (financial resources),
delegates debated proposals on new and additional resources,
development assistance targets, the scope for facilitating
access to international financial markets, private sector
investments, and the needs of small island and land-locked
states. Delegates agreed to include 149 and 150 (actions) in
Australia's group.
In 151 (technology transfer and information exchange),
delegates agreed to proposals referring to UNCHS (G-
77/China) and adequate protection for intellectual property
and mutually agreed allocation of commercial benefits(US).
In 152(a)-(e) (actions), delegates debated the strength of
the language, references to national application and UNCHS.
Developing countries objected to proposals referring to
countries with economies in transition. Delegates bracketed
152(e) (disseminating technology) and 153 (technical
cooperation) following disagreements on UNCHS's role. The G-
77/China bracketed 154(a) because proposals to "examine the
feasibility" of establishing information networks would lead
to delays. Delegates bracketed 154(c) (UNCHS). Delegates
accepted 154(b) (assist in accessing information), (d)
(strengthen capacity-building programs), (e) (UNCHS and
capacity-building) and (f) (support technical cooperation)
as amended. Delegates bracketed portions of the EU-proposed
154(g) on UNCHS's provision of technical, legal and
institutional advice because it noted "within existing
resources." Delegates adopted 155 (institutional
cooperation) without amendment. The EU and the G-77/China
disagreed on follow-up measures in 156, but will produce a
redraft. Delegates accepted 157(actions) as amended, but
bracketed "where appropriate" in reference to UN agency
actions.
WORKING GROUP II SUBGROUP B
An informal informal meeting completed consideration of
paragraphs 58-65 in Section B (adequate shelter for all)
Monday evening. While reviewing Monday's agreements, Syria
bracketed "equal" in 58(f) (equal right to inheritance).
In 100 (energy use), delegates amended a Canadian
reformulation, noting that: energy use is essential;
dependence on fossil fuel-based energy leads to
environmental and health problems; sustainable energy
production can be enhanced by energy efficiency, alternative
energy use, and other means; and settlement and energy
policies should be coordinated. The EU added "these
represent a serious obstacle to sustainable development."
The G-77/China proposed "may represent." The EU suggested
"can." China objected and "may" was bracketed.
In 101(a) (urban planning), delegates added "rural" planning
and EU text regarding solutions that pay attention to end-
users. In 101(b) (energy pricing policies), delegates added
Australian text to ensure that "people living in poverty are
not disadvantaged." Delegates added 101(c)bis calling for
development of non-motorized or low-energy transport systems
(EU). Delegates added 101(f)bis calling for a campaign to
encourage recycling, reuse and reduced energy consumption.
References to solar technology and energy efficient design
were included in 101(g) (reduce energy consumption in
buildings). Delegates called for reduced metal compounds in
transportation fuels in 101(i) (promote new technologies).
In 102 (transportation systems), delegates noted that the
poor, children, older persons, and people with disabilities
are disadvantaged by the lack of accessible transport
systems (US). Delegates added 102bis, a reformulated
Australian proposal calling for potential impacts of
developments in communication technology to be addressed.
In 103 (promote access), delegates suggested giving priority
to reducing unnecessary travel and developing transport
policies that emphasize mobility (US) through pricing and
other regulations (EU). Delegates reformulated an EU-
proposed 103bis, calling for affordable, efficient and
energy-saving modes of transport.
In 104 (sustainable transport in human settlements),
delegates called for action by governments, in partnership
with private and community sectors and other stakeholders.
In 104(a) (technical options), delegates called for
attention to the needs of all population groups (EU). In
104(c) (optimal modal composition), delegates added
"private" (EU). In 104(d) (discourage growth of traffic),
delegates listed disincentive measures, such as pricing and
land-use planning (US).
In 106 (places and objects of cultural value), delegates
noted the need to promote their role, "particularly in light
of the need for cultural identity and continuity in a
rapidly changing world" and noted the importance of access
to culture (Croatia).
Delegates received text for a new 59bis, which the
Secretariat drafted based on recommendations from the EU,
Mexico, Indonesia and the G-77/China regarding self-built
housing. Delegates expected to work informally during the
evening.
WORKING GROUP II SUBGROUP C
Subgroup C recommenced work on Section C (sustainable human
settlements). To date the Subgroup is reported to have
increased the length of the text by 50%. In 89 (urban and
rural poverty), a US-proposed 89(a)bis (employment rights)
was bracketed. Canada also proposed an 89(a)bis (men and
women sharing responsibilities) and added 89(c)bis (access
to productive resources). The EU amended 89(d) (access to
credit) to refer to "vulnerable and disadvantaged groups."
US and Canadian amendments on micro enterprises, credit, and
women were referred to an informal drafting group. Delegates
amended an EU-proposed 89(e)bis (education and vocational
training) to promote "timely" access for the unemployed and
people living in poverty. The G-77/China proposed a new
89(h) (promote job opportunities through mass media).
In 90 (gender-sensitive planning and management), the US
added "in collaboration" with stakeholders. The paragraph
was bracketed. In 90(a) (access to basic urban services),
Canada preferred adoption, where appropriate (G-77/China),
of standards, laws, and guidelines "in relation to planning,
development and decision-making." A US-proposed 90(a)ter
(women and informal sector) was adopted. A Canadian-proposed
90(c)bis (employment for women) was bracketed. In 90(d)
(legal and customary barriers to women’s access), delegates
inserted elimination of barriers to "equal" access to (US)
"and control of" land and finance [where appropriate] (G-
77/China) [where they exist] (Canada). The G-77/China said
the elimination of customary barriers could undermine some
women’s rights. The Holy See added 90(e)bis (poverty among
rural women). A US-proposed 90(f)bis (promote women’s access
to housing, land and civic services) and 90(f)ter
(community awareness of homeless and refugee women) and an
EU-proposed 90(g) (women’s access to housing) were
bracketed. Brackets were placed around: an EU-proposed 90bis
(role of youth), including four subparagraphs; a Canadian
90(a)bis (youth and sustainable communities); and a US-
proposed 90bis (disability sensitive planning) with
subparagraphs (a) to (j).
In 91 (violence and crime), delegates accepted an EU
reformulated text: "to prevent and reduce" violence,
especially at the local level, Governments should act in
partnership with "all stakeholders" (G-77/China). The EU and
US amended 91(a) (encourage use of public spaces as a center
of community life). A Canadian-proposed 91(a)bis (help
communities address underlying factors) was bracketed.
Bracketed additions to 91(b) (street children) included:
"training and education" (G-77/China); "encourage children
to become stakeholders"(US); and "a guaranteed basic
education" (Holy See). Canada and the US proposed versions
of 91(b)bis (women’s safety), including programmes on
domestic violence and "children’s safety" (Norway/UNICEF).
The EU proposed deleting language on neighborhood-based
crime watch, but the G-77/China and the US objected. The
subparagraph was bracketed. The US introduced 91(e)bis
(voluntary programmes) to prevent violence "including [the
incidence of] violence in the home" and crime. The US added
an 91(e)ter (action on sex trafficking).
In 93 (environmental causes of poor health), the US and G-
77/China disagreed over the inclusion of reference to unsafe
drinking water. Canada and the G-77/China wanted to
reformulate the opening sentences (after a UNICEF
amendment), linking health to sustainable human settlements.
The proposals were bracketed. The Subgroup reconvened
informally in the evening. The paragraphs in Section D that
were originally assigned to the group have been deferred for
consideration in Istanbul.
DRAFTING GROUP ON A RIGHT TO HOUSING
The drafting group began with consideration of 44 (a right
to housing) to preface negotiations on related paragraphs
13, 24, 25 and 48. The debate centered around the question
of whether a right to housing is subsumed under the right to
an adequate standard of living or whether it is a separate
and distinct right. Consensus was reached by the end of the
morning session that a combination of the proposals
submitted by Slovenia and the EU should serve as a platform
for further negotiations. The two delegations formulated a
merged proposal which states that "since the adoption of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the right to
adequate housing has been recognized as an important
component of the right to an adequate standard of living."
Actions by governments and all sectors of society are
required to protect and ensure the realization of this
right. Employing the enabling approach, government actions
should include legal protection from housing discrimination,
security of tenure and equal access to land, accessibility
and affordability of housing, and effective monitoring and
policy implementation. Although the Slovenia/EU proposal was
considered the best compromise, consensus was ultimately
blocked by the disagreement on the right to housing and on
other details. The group did not complete 44 and the
majority of the text was bracketed. The group continued
negotiations during an evening session.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY
SUBGROUP A: The Subgroup is expected to meet in Conference
Room 2 to begin consideration of Section F (implementation
and follow-up).
SUBGROUP B: The Subgroup is expected to meet in Conference
Room 3 to continue consideration of paragraphs 100-128 in
Section C (sustainable human settlements).
SUBGROUP C: The Subgroup is expected to reconvene in
Conference Room 5 to complete paragraphs 76-99 of Section C
(sustainable human settlements).
RIGHT TO HOUSING: The Drafting Group is expected to meet
tomorrow morning. Check the Journal for the room.
This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c)
is written and edited by Chad Carpenter
, Peter Doran ,
Richard Jordan, Kira Schmidt and Lynn
Wagner . The Managing Editor is Langston
James Goree VI "Kimo" . The sustaining
donors of the Bulletin are the International Institute for
Sustainable Development and the Pew
Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship
Initiative. General support for the Bulletin during 1996 has
been provided by the United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia and
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